Know what we have been called to do

Homily for January 8, 2017 (The Epiphany of the Lord)
Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

On the southern edge of Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit and overlooking the river that separates the city from Windsor, Canada there is a large monument to the Underground Railroad, the network of people and safe houses that helped African Americans escape the cruelties and injustices of slavery in the 19th century.  Many of them came from southern states like Alabama and Mississippi and settled in northern states like Wisconsin, Ohio and Michigan.  However, because of the Fugitive Slave Act and similar laws, thousands of those who escaped were not content to stay in the United States.  They sought and received refuge in Canada.

The “conductor” in the Detroit monument stands among eight other people—men, women and children—and points across the river.  On the other side in Windsor is a companion monument that depicts a father with his arms and eyes raised heavenward, along with his wife and their child as they are welcomed by another “conductor.” Towering above them is a 22-foot granite pillar with a bronze flame.  It symbolizes the eternal light of freedom.  Nearby is another statue of a girl.  She looks back pensively across the water at what she left behind.

Today our scriptures ask us to reflect on other journeys.  The author of the third part of the Book of Isaiah shares his vision of a Jerusalem revived after years of destruction and depression in a time of exile.  Its time of darkness is vanquished by the light of the Lord.  Its years of abandonment, shame and sorrow give way to a time when people of many nations are drawn to it.  Its poverty becomes a memory as riches are brought to it from many nations.  Writing in the name of the apostle Paul, the author of our second reading amplifies this theme by recalling God’s grace and proclaiming the good news that “the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”  People who were once considered “far off” and beyond the bounds of God’s care and mercy are now front and center.

Our gospel passage recalls yet another journey.  Here the magi (a term originally used to refer to a priestly class among the Persians and later applied to any who possessed something more than human knowledge) come “from the east” to see and worship Jesus, “the newborn king of the Jews.”  King Herod, with a fear and jealousy reminiscent of the Pharaoh at the time of Moses, tries to manipulate their journey as well as their knowledge and wisdom in order to preserve his power.  Yet he cannot stop them from following the star that leads them to Jesus.

We come from many different places in our journeys to and with the Lord.  It’s good for us to recall where we came from and where we’ve been; but it’s even more important to know where we’re going, who is with us, and to know what we have been called to do.  The magi presented the Lord with gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Through our baptism and especially as we are sealed with the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, we are called to offer the treasures that God has given us:  the myrrh of our time, the frankincense of our talent and the gold of whatever financial or other material resources we have.  These are gifts that we don’t give the Lord just once.  We bring and offer them day after day as we journey toward greater light and freedom.  +